ADAPTATIONS

• webbed feet for swimming
• legs are set forward, so geese are able to walk better on land than ducks and swans
• fluffy down feathers help to protect geese from the cold
• oil glands (near the tail) are used for waterproofing the feathers
• form flocks to fly south for the winter
• might not migrate if there are open waters and a food supply for winter
• found in cities (where there is water and food nearby)

honk (27Kb wav)

BEHAVIOR (HABITS)

• eat by grazing on grasslands or fields; or dipping and dabbling in water

  graze : to walk about eating grass and plants
  dip and dabble : put head underwater and come out again, splash around

• fly in a v formation
• have different sounds to communicate (about 13 different calls)
  honk (when flying), cluck or cackle (when feeding), hiss (when angry)
• also communicate by body movements
• mate for life; pair stays together as long as both are alive and well